http://www.independent.co.uk - ADAM WITHNALL - Tuesday 09 December 2014
Ed Miliband on drugs: 'I haven’t taken them… but I have read about cannabis'
Labour leader questioned on his 'real-life experience' when it comes to drawing up drugs policy
Ed Miliband’s attempts to woo young voters (and expand their numbers) have suffered a setback after he was forced to admit he hasn’t ever taken drugs – but that he has “read about them”.
The Labour leader has said in the past that he was a bit too “square” for drink and drugs in his younger years, but speaking to a panel of 16- to 24-year-olds yesterday he boasted: “Well I’m not teetotal!”
One audience member at the Bite the Ballot event produced in conjunction with ITV News suggested that politicians often draw up policies “without having real-life experience and also while ignoring research”, and asked about Mr Miliband’s own past.
“I haven’t taken drugs,” he said. “I’m not in favour of decriminalisation, for example, of cannabis, because of my reading about it – and I have read about it.”
Mr Miliband said he had read that there are “mental effects of cannabis that people maybe didn’t realise a decade ago”, and said he “worries about what message we send if we decriminalise [harmful drugs]”.
“So while I haven’t taken drugs, I’ve got a pretty clear view at least on the legalisation/decriminalisation question,” he concluded.
According to the latest government statistics, almost 36 per cent of British 16- to 59-year-olds report using drugs at some point in their lifetime.
And it isn’t the first time the Labour leader has been accused of being out of touch with “real life”.
In October, Mr Miliband met EastEnders star Danny Dyer and reportedly tried to impress him with his knowledge of the show.
Asked if he was a regular watcher and fan, Mr Miliband shook his head and said: “I don’t have time but I’ve been doing a lot of research about it online.” The incident was later described by a Labour source as “a bit awkward”.
Mr Miliband used last night’s debate as a platform to announce his plans to give 16- and 17-year-olds the vote if Labour wins the general election in May.
“Britain will only succeed as a country if we give our young people the chance to fulfil their potential and play their part,” he said.
“And when decisions are being taken which affect their future, a democratic country like ours should ensure that they have their voice heard.”
The Labour leader also said that it is “great to be a young person today but it is incredibly hard”. Perhaps the 44-year-old has read about that, too."